THRUWAY SUSPENDS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, ENCOURAGES SAFE DRIVING“Buckle Up New York” Campaign In Effect Throughout Holiday Weekend

Construction projects will be suspended on the New York State Thruway and safe driving enforcement efforts will be in place throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Thruway Authority announced today.

“I urge all New Yorkers on the road during the holiday period to make safety a part of their travel plans,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas J. Madison said. “The Thruway Authority will help ease the way for motorists by suspending construction over the Memorial Day weekend.”

Exit 45 (Rochester) to the Pennsylvania line on I-90, and the Niagara Thruway I-190, from Exit 53 (Buffalo and I-190) to the North Grand Island Bridges -- construction suspended from noon on Thursday, May 23 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

The Thruway Authority also reminds New Yorkers that “Buckle Up New York,” a 14-day statewide campaign aimed to crack down on drivers and their passengers who do not wear seatbelts, will be in full swing throughout the holiday weekend.

All 27 travel plazas along the Thruway will be open for the Memorial Day weekend to motorists and their families. For a listing of the travel plazas, services and amenities, please visit the Thruway Authority’s website at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/index.html.

During last year’s Memorial Day holiday travel period (Friday to Monday), more than 2.4 million vehicles traveled more than 82 million miles on the State Thruway.

According to the AAA, approximately 28 million people nationwide are expected to travel during the holiday weekend. AAA also estimates it will come to the rescue of nearly half a million stranded motorists during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.